[queryly]

I haven't been in Singapore and have read very little on why Singapore is so successful.

Three of Four Asian Tigers (Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea) are more democratic/free and equal in prosperity comparing with Singapore.

IMHO, a great strategic port and super effective government are probably key reasons that power the its great achievements. I hope people don't consider quasi-dictatorship style of governing the cause of economic miracle.

[crdoconnor]

One trade policy that they followed that was identical to that of Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea was the suppression of the value of their currency by purchasing US treasuries. That gave a much needed boost to their exports and allowed them space to create an industrial ecosystem.

China did this too, later.

[cplease]

I don't see how you can say Hong Kong is more democratic/free. It was a colony, now it's a SAR of PRC, which has been tightening its fingers. The people are certainly more free to protest (for the time being), but their politicians are hand-picked by Beijing. Not really better than Singapore where the administration sets up arbitrary barriers to opposition political activity, and announces elections on short notice while gerrymandering new districts to divide and conquer and pockets of opposition support.